Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the IPL 2025 season, replacing Shreyas Iyer, who led the team to their third title in 2024. The franchise made the announcement on March 3, 2025, confirming Rahane’s leadership role as KKR aims to defend their title. Venkatesh Iyer, who was signed for ₹23.75 crore, will serve as the vice-captain.
A Second Chance for Rahane
Rahane’s appointment marks a remarkable turnaround in his IPL career. Initially unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, he was later picked up by KKR in the accelerated round for ₹1.50 crore. His resurgence in domestic cricket, where he played a crucial role in Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory by scoring 469 runs at a strike rate of 164.56, played a big part in KKR’s decision to trust him with leadership.
“It’s a privilege to lead KKR, one of the most successful IPL franchises. We have a strong, balanced squad, and I look forward to the challenge of defending our title,” Rahane said after his appointment.
Venkatesh Iyer Named Vice-Captain
Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who was among the most expensive buys at the IPL 2025 mega auction, has been named Rahane’s deputy. KKR fought off competition from RCB to secure him, highlighting his importance to the squad. Having made an impact in 2021, when he played a key role in KKR’s runner-up finish, Venkatesh has since become a crucial player for the franchise.
Rahane’s Captaincy Experience
Rahane is no stranger to leading an IPL team. He previously captained Rajasthan Royals for 24 matches and also led Rising Pune Supergiant in one game. However, his record as captain stands at 9 wins and 16 losses in 25 games. KKR will hope his experience and recent form help him turn things around.
KKR’s Road to IPL 2025
The defending champions will begin their title defense on March 22, 2025, against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens. With Rahane leading the side and Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain, KKR aims to replicate last season’s success and continue their strong performances.
KKR’s IPL 2025 Schedule (First 5 Matches)
- March 22: vs RCB (Kolkata)
- March 26: vs RR (Guwahati)
- March 31: vs MI (Mumbai)
- April 3: vs SRH (Kolkata)
- April 6: vs LSG (Kolkata, Day)
KKR’s Squad for IPL 2025
Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
Vice-Captain: Venkatesh Iyer
Other Key Players: Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy, Moeen Ali, Umran Malik
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